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Water, Environmental, and Energy Solutions (WEES)

In November of 2000, Arizona voters made a 20-year commitment to stimulate innovation and research and to support Arizona’s knowledge-based economy. The landmark passage of Proposition 301, a 0.6% sales tax to be used for education in Arizona, included a new University-directed funding source, the Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), which has been used to catalyze research and technology transfer at Arizona’s academic institutions. University of Arizona TRIF initiatives include: "Water, Environmental, and Energy Solutions," "Improving Health," "Space Exploration and Optical Solutions," and "National Security Systems."

The Water, Environmental and Energy Solutions (WEES) initiative invests TRIF dollars in cutting-edge research, cross-campus collaborations, and innovative partnerships that promote fresh ideas, technologies, and effective resource management practices. TRIF-WEES-funded initiatives at the UA bring an average 8:1 return on investment and impact the education of more than 400 students each year. These funds create centers, support research, and facilitate the transfer of information from the university to the public in a myriad of ways.